"
Moved by a sentiment of curiosity I protested that I was a very good
child. She changed the subject.
"This night," she said, "would be for me without a regret if I were
not vexed with myself for what I said to you about the countess. Not
that I wish to find fault with you. Novelty attracts me. You have
found me amiable, I should like to believe in your good faith. But the
dominion of habit takes a long time to break through and I have not
learned the secret of doing this--By the bye, what do you think of my
husband?"
"Well, he is rather cross, but I suppose he could not be otherwise to
me."
"Oh, that is true, but his way of life isn't pleasant, and he could
not see you here with indifference. He might be suspicious even of our
friendship."
"Oh! he is so already."
"Confess that he has cause. Therefore you must not prolong this visit;
he might take it amiss. As soon as any one arrives--" and she added
with a smile, "some one is going to arrive--you must go. You have to
keep up appearance, you know. Remember his manner when he left us
to-night."
I was tempted to interpret this adventure as a trap, but as she
noticed the impression made by her words, she added:
"Oh, he was very much gayer when he was superintending the arrangement
of the cabinet I told you about.
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